Boet Jegels primary school: Fast-growing communities pile pressure on Nelson Mandela Bay schools
Boet Jegels Primary (formerly known as Booysen Park Primary) has not been left unscathed, as pupils from Chatty Extension, Khayamnandi in Despatch and KwaDwesi Extension flood the school.
Principal Fadiel Jaggers said schools in the area were built to accommodate 900 pupils.
However, Alfonso Aries Primary, the largest school in the northern areas, had more than 1,200 pupils.
'If you travel along Stanford Road, 5km down the street, you will end up in KwaNobuhle, and on the opposite end, if you travel north, you will see that there is a new housing development.
' So, every extension has an impact on the school community because these schools were built for a maximum of 900 learners,' Jaggers said.
'T wo of the neighbouring schools have an excess of 900 learners.
'Besides that, there is high unemployment, severe poverty and m ost of the parents are dependent on social grants.'
Jaggers said his school had to adjust its expectations.
'It is a very, very difficult situation.
'We also have Booysen Park extensions, but Timothy Valley on the other side, and then Jacksonville, and you have extensions 54, 52 and those areas.
' For that, there are two primary schools, but because of other influences, the learners from Timothy Valley come this way.
'Some learners from Jacksonville come this way. We have learners from Joe Slovo who are part of our school community.
'We have learners from Westville, which is the extension of KwaDwesi,' Jaggers said.
Asked if Boet Jegels had enough teachers, Jaggers said there was a teacher in every classroom.
However, he said the large number of pupils in classrooms resulted in teachers 'chasing the curriculum' to avoid leaving children behind.
' Class sizes also have an impact because from my time at primary school, we were a maximum of 30 learners in the classroom, and teachers had time for individual attention.
' Now, you find teachers must recap what was taught yesterday, before starting a new lesson.
'So, you find that you are constantly chasing the curriculum, to make sure that, at the end of the term, the school meets the requirements of that curriculum.
' If the department can consider adjustments to the curriculum, particularly in the foundation phase, where teachers can give more time to skills development and knowledge.
'At the moment, there are four subjects in the foundation phase and in my time, we focused on one language, and then later on, a second language was introduced.
'Now the learners have got to manage two languages and then, apart from that, they have that third language at home.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
7 hours ago
- The Herald
KZN woman who raised siblings after parents' death hits R10m lotto jackpot
A KwaZulu-Natal woman who raised her siblings after her parents died has become the latest Lotto Plus 2 multimillionaire, walking away with more than R10m and promising to change her family's future. Having lost her parents at a young age, the woman, as the eldest, took on the responsibility of heading the family and caring for her four younger siblings. 'This changes everything for us,' she said. National Lottery operator Ithuba said the lucky Lotto Plus 2 jackpot winner has claimed her winnings. She purchased her ticket in eMkhomazi, KwaZulu-Natal, with a R20 wager using the quick-pick selection method for the Saturday draw. The winner, who has been playing National Lottery games since turning 18, said she always believed her big break would come one day.
Mail & Guardian
a day ago
- Mail & Guardian
Livestock, rooibos and tortoises: Farmer conserves threatened species
In win for biodiversity, the The Lokenburg conservation servitude, concluded with landowners Nelmarie and Herman Nel, who farm sheep, cattle and rooibos tea, on their 4 500 hectares in the Nieuwoudtville district of the Northern Cape, ensures permanent protection of tortoise habitat. A conservation servitude is a legally binding agreement that protects land for conservation, permanently. This model blends farming and conservation, 'proving that biodiversity and livelihoods can thrive together', the EWT said of the farm that has been occupied by the same family for six generations. The farm received its title deed in 1774, and is also the only one to host a dwelling built by each one of the six generations that have lived on the property. The speckled dwarf tortoise, measuring just 6cm to 10cm, occurs only in scattered remnant patches of habitat from the West Coast inland to Namaqualand. Their survival is precarious: they mature slowly, females lay only one to two eggs after many years, and hatchlings are vulnerable to predators such as pied crows. 'We are currently working in quite large areas with various tortoise species and then obviously we want to conserve the environment in which they are found,' said 'For us it is quite important to get landowners involved in the process and to be the stewards basically for the species and then obviously all the associated biodiversity on the properties.' Specific tortoise conservation management areas have been designated on the farm, where targeted management actions and development restrictions will be in place. 'We've got designated areas where we want to make sure we can monitor and that's just over 1000ha specifically for the habitat for the speckled dwarf tortoise,' Brink said. 'That allows us to have conservation interventions, along with the landowners, to make sure that nothing detrimental is done to the habitat for this species.' Additionally, species-focused conservation actions include management of the pied crow population in the area, which is The conservation servitude is in one of the most botanically diverse regions in South Africa. Nieuwoudtville, in the Bokkeveld, a winter rainfall region in the transition zone between the fynbos and succulent Karoo biomes, is known for its unique vegetation and springtime floral splendour. The farm has a large variety of plant species given that it straddles four bioregions: North-West fynbos, the Western fynbos-renosterveld, the Karoo renosterveld and the Trans-escarpment succulent bioregions. The succulent Karoo biome, which has the greatest number of succulent flora on Earth, is one of only two arid zones that have been declared global biodiversity hotspots. More than 6 000 plant species, 40% of which are endemic and 936 of which are listed as threatened, occur in the biome. In 2023, the Nels became members of the South African Essential Oil Producers and have a vision to further expand the essential oil branch, to make it sustainable and economically viable for the benefit of the local community and environment, the EWT said. The family also aims to preserve their land for future generations, through sustainable farming practices alongside the preservation of the rich biodiversity on their land. The Lokenburg Biodiversity Management Plan, concluded between the Nels and the EWT, is the primary tool for the management of the Lokenburg conservation servitude. 'It also makes provision for capacity building, future thinking and continuity of management, enables the management of the servitude in a manner that values the purpose for which it has been established, and ensures, through collaboration, that no detrimental forms of development, or agricultural activities, will take place within the focal areas,' the EWT said. South Africa has more tortoise species than any other country. Nine of the 13 Southern African tortoise species are found in the arid Karoo, where they face multiple threats such as habitat loss and degradation, predation, illegal collection and uncontrolled fires. Brink says of all the threats they face, the biggest is the degradation of their habitat. 'Obviously they occur in specific areas; they have specific needs for them to breed and only lay one egg after 10 years, for instance. They take a long time to mature, they have to get up to an older age and then they have one to two eggs and it's not necessarily every year that they can lay an egg,' 'If there's no food and they go searching for food, they With this servitude, there are six generations living on the land 'so there's an incredible love and passion for the environment and what they have on their farm. It's quite unique to get that, when you've got that generational history, going back to 1774 for the farm itself, so it's been so lovely to work with them,' she added. For her part, Nelmarie Nel said: 'With all the recorded descriptions of the beauty of our surroundings and the privilege of still living at Lokenburg six generations later, while continuing with traditional sheep, cattle, and rooibos tea farming, it is very dear to our family to preserve our environment with its incredible biodiversity for as long as possible. 'At Lokenburg, we see ourselves not just as farmers but as 'stewards of conservation.' We hope to make a positive contribution to our community, economy, and environment through this,' Nel said.
Mail & Guardian
4 days ago
- Mail & Guardian
Chef is cooking with purpose, rooted in conservation
Food for thought: Chef Simon Lehutso in the kitchen at Lapalala Wilderness School. Photos: Supplied At just 27, chef Simon Lehutso is stirring up more than flavours in the kitchen, he's igniting a movement where food meets sustainability and culinary passion becomes a tool for environmental education. Born and brought up in Marulaneng Bakenberg Village, just outside Mokopane near Vaalwater, Simon's journey from rural Limpopo to becoming a permanent chef at the Lapalala Wilderness School was one of vision, resilience and deep connection to both nature and community. But his path to becoming a chef wasn't typical — it began in the wilderness, not in a kitchen. Lehutso's first encounter with Lapalala Wilderness School came when he was just 12 years old, during a school excursion. Beacon: The Lapalala Wilderness School educates children and young people about biodiversity, sustainability and conservation. Nestled in the Waterberg biosphere, Lapalala is an environmental school dedicated to teaching children and youths the value of biodiversity, sustainability and conservation. For Lehutso, the visit was life-changing. 'I remember it so clearly,' he says. 'It was my first time in such a quiet, untouched place. 'We saw animals roaming freely; animals I had only ever seen on TV. I felt a connection, not just to nature, but to something bigger.' That visit planted the seeds of purpose. But the moment that sparked his culinary journey was less expected. At Lapalala, Lehutso experienced his first proper dining setting and it intrigued him. 'I asked myself, how do they prepare food for so many people? How does a kitchen like this even work?' That curiosity led him to learn more, eventually realising that food could be more than sustenance, it could be storytelling, tradition, education and environmental action. Origins: Chef Simon Lehutso with the founder of Lapalala Wilderness School Clive Walker. Lehutso's passion for cooking started early. 'My brother used to call me 'chef', even before I knew what it meant,' he laughs. 'I just loved cooking and I was always trying new things in the kitchen.' After matriculating in 2018, Lehutso committed to pursuing a career in food, but with a twist — he didn't want to leave his roots behind. He understood that food was not only a skill or a profession but it was a bridge. A way to bring together culture, conservation and community. Today, he's come full circle, returning to the very place that inspired him, now as a full-time chef at Lapalala Wilderness School. At Lapalala, chef Lehutso's role goes beyond preparing meals. His kitchen is a classroom and every plate served tells a story of sustainability and respect for the Earth. 'My day starts in the garden,' he explains. 'I check what vegetables or herbs are ready to harvest. That's how we plan our meals, from the soil up.' He meets new visitors every week, many of them young people who are being introduced to nature and conservation for the first time. For Lehutso, it's the perfect opportunity to share his own journey and inspire the next generation. 'I love it when young people show interest in food. 'It gives me a chance to teach them, not just about cooking, but about where food comes from, how it's grown and why we need to protect the land that gives us life.' For Lehutso, food and nature are inseparable. He sees food as the most intimate connection we have with the planet. 'We get everything from the soil, vegetables, grains — even the water we cook with,' he says. 'Once you realise that, you start to see food differently. You start to respect the environment more. That's why I teach people to care for the soil, to respect water and to honour the farmers.' Lehutso's work doesn't end in the kitchen. He's actively involved in community empowerment, teaching families how to grow their own food through home gardens. One of his proudest moments came when a local farmer, inspired by Lapalala's outreach programme, started his own egg farm. Today, that farm supplies the school and supports an entire community. 'It shows how one idea, one seed can grow into something that feeds and empowers many,' Lehutso says. Lehutso has big dreams. While some of his peers have chosen to work overseas, he believes his impact is needed right here at home. 'Our culinary skills are valuable in Africa. We don't have to go abroad to prove our worth,' he says. One of his dream projects is to create a mobile kitchen classroom — a travelling educational unit that brings lessons in cooking, gardening and sustainability to rural communities across South Africa. The goal? To make knowledge accessible and inspire grassroots change. 'I want to reach people where they are and in their homes, villages, schools. Food education shouldn't only happen in fancy kitchens. It should happen wherever people live and eat.' Lehutso wants to work on a book that will highlight indigenous and traditional food practices from Limpopo, preserving and celebrating the culinary wisdom of his culture. Reflecting on his journey, Lehutso often thinks back to the boy who first stepped into Lapalala's quiet wilderness more than a decade ago. 'My mom used to say, 'I'm preparing you to be a man.' 'She wasn't soft on me, she was preparing me for life. Now I understand what she meant.' If he could speak to his younger self, he'd say this: 'Everything you need is already inside you. Stay curious. Don't underestimate yourself or where you come from. Your roots can grow powerful dreams.' It's a message he shares with the youth he works with, not just about food, but about life. Lehutso's story is a powerful example of what happens when passion meets purpose. His journey from a small village in Limpopo to becoming a champion for sustainable food and conservation proves that true impact begins at home. Through his work at Lapalala Wilderness School, Lehutso is nurturing more than meals — he's cultivating a future where food connects us back to the Earth and where young people grow not only their skills but their sense of responsibility to the planet. In every dish he prepares, in every garden he plants and in every child he teaches, Lehutso is living proof that the kitchen can be a powerful place for change.
